Facilities and Wellbeing Forum 2026

Surrey Sports Park and the University of Surrey’s Vision 2041 

Surrey Sports Park has undergone major transformation in the last 12 months, including 1,500 rooftop solar panels, a refurbished gym, a new elite rugby pitch, padel courts, and £250k in government funding for exercise referral. With a new corporate sponsor, SSP is modernising rapidly and redefining its role within the evolving higher education landscape.

How do you turn a sports park into a strategic powerhouse? 

This session reveals Surrey Sports Park’s two-year journey centred around wellbeing and the experience. SSP has rebuilt senior relationships, aligned with research priorities, created two synergistic business areas and embedded active wellbeing into Vision 2041. SSP will share early wins and lessons learned, including key changes in operations, wellbeing and sport delivery. 

Delivered by: Alan Sutherland, Director of Operations, University of Surrey and Emma Roswell, Chief Student Officer, University of Surrey

1. From Paper Chaos to Digital Excellence: Surrey Sports Park's Journey (And Yours) 

Surrey Sports Park shares what they uncovered when digitising operations - the hidden compliance gaps, the training blind spots, and the risks lurking in filing cabinets that only surface when you go digital. Join them and other universities who've been through the process to discover how shared best practice is raising standards sector-wide. Real findings, real impact, zero theory. With the opportunity to join the OpsExcellence movement free of charge.

Delivered by: Craig Campbell, Chief Explanation Officer, Ops Pal and Thomas Pickering, Assistant Director of Sport (Business Development), University | of Surrey 

2. Understanding how Sport and Physical Activity can make University Life Better for Neurodivergent Students

The workshop will explore:
- The concepts of neurodiversity and neurodivergence.
- Ways in which sport and physical activity can act as a protection factor for ND students in higher education.
- Barriers preventing ND students from engaging in sport and physical activity at university and how these can be overcome.

Delivered by: Charles Freeman, Director, Neurodiverse Sport

3. Measuring Impact & Co-Creating Authentic Campaigns: Inclusive Strategies for Engaging Students

This workshop will share how UCL measures the impact of its award-winning Project Active campaigns using qualitative and quantitative insight. The session will explore co-creating campaigns with students to ensure messages resonate authentically. Attendees will examine how approaches differ for sub-categories across the student population, alongside highlighting inclusive marketing strategies for diverse student communities.

Delivered by: Lilley Westlake, Physical Activity Manager, University College London (UCL)

1. Championing wellbeing through sport: Insights from Sport in Mind 

This session explores how universities can harness the power of sport and physical activity to support student mental health, drawing on the impactful work of Sport in Mind. Attendees will gain insights into inclusive programme design, the importance of co-production with individuals with lived experience, and how sport can reduce social isolation, boost self-esteem, and aid recovery. Key takeaways include practical strategies for embedding wellbeing into campus sport initiatives, understanding barriers to participation, and fostering a culture that destigmatises mental health through positive language and community engagement.

Delivered by: Beth Marriot, National Partnerships Manager, Sport in Mind 

2. Designing the transformation - Road mapping the future of SSP facilities to match the ambition 

Surrey Sports Park has undertaken a bold feasibility study to reimagine its facilities for the future. With a focus on flexible spaces, wellbeing, and multifunctionality, SSP is building a roadmap aligned with university ambitions. At just 15 years old, the building requires strategic upgrades to meet evolving demands - driven by strong stakeholder engagement and a compelling investment narrative that positions SSP as a catalyst for institutional success.

Delivered by: Dan Manning, Assistant Director of Sport, University of Surrey 

3. The power of student talent

Four years ago, University of Edinburgh Sport employed just six students. Today, that number has grown to 46 students across coaching, ops, community wellbeing, performance support and marcomms roles. Cam will talk through how these student roles have helped elevate Edinburgh's communication financially, structurally and creatively.

Delivered by: Cam Ritchie, Deputy Director of Sport, University of Edinburgh

1. Collaborative Pathways: Integrating Active Wellbeing and Operational Excellence 

When you have a great idea but need to bring it to fruition through collaboration with a range of internal and external stakeholders, and to deliver it at quality outside the confines of the usual spaces and places. The University of East London will present how to integrate active wellbeing projects within existing and new campus infrastructure. Networking and proactive discussion encouraged.

Delivered by: Hilary Lissenden, Executive Director, Sport Strategy & Growth, University of East London 

2. How to maintain high standards and existing services with less resources 

With increased Voluntary Severance Schemes (VSS) taking place across the sector and institutions not being allowed to backfill vacant post, this network will allow members to discuss how they are overcoming the growing staff challenges linked to this, along with challenges faced recruited staff into key operational roles. 

Delivered by: Jordan Dawson, Head Development, Scottish Student Sport 

3. Sport as a catalyst - Examining how the value of sport shapes student and staff outcomes 

This session dives into Surrey Sports Park’s data-driven approach to prove its value - aligning sport and operations teams, defining impact, guiding investment, and setting KPIs.

Hear how SSP is moving from reactive support to a proactive catalyst for institutional success, and discuss and share best practice with peers across the membership on how other institutions or developing in this space.

Delivered by: Luke Bennet, Student Sport & Performance Manager, University of Surrey 

Activities available: 

Synergy fitness session (Gym): 

• Two sessions will be available to join starting at 6pm and 6:30pm. 

• Members must register in advance to attend as there will be limited spaces available. 

• Further information on how to register will be shared in the pre-event email 

Badminton (Sports hall - Arena A) 

Pickleball (Sports hall - Arena A) 

Squash (Squash court no. 1) 

HiTz Cricket (offsite) - Further details TBC 

The University of East London is delivering an innovative pop-up project to encourage its learning and local communities to engage in skate sports for increased health, wellbeing, belonging and connection. It’s been a journey! From engaging with community partners, to sourcing funding, to securing a site, to involving students in concept design and urban architecture build, to sessional delivery, and finally through monitoring, evaluation and learnings - this presentation will give some insights into what to try and what maybe to avoid, and encourage discussion around the challenges and opportunities of active wellbeing in non-traditional outdoor spaces.

Delivered by: Hilary Lissenden, Executive Director, Sport Strategy & Growth, University of East London 

1. Embedding strategy - How SSP translated University strategy into action (Senior management staff) 

Surrey Sports Park has aligned its strategy with the University of Surrey’s Vision 2041 by translating institutional KPIs into actionable goals. This presentation will shine a light on how collaboration with senior leadership SSP team have been able to reshape SSP identity, built stakeholder buy-in, and embedded university priorities into every aspect - from facilities to brand.

Delivered by: Georgina Agnies, Director of Sport, University of Surrey and Thomas Pickering, Assistant Director of Sport, University of Surrey 

2. First steps in building spaces that attract and retain students from ethnically diverse communities

BUCS’ Race Equality and Research Implementation Group (RERIG), which includes representatives from HE sector and beyond, has created a Diagnostic Assessment tool to help higher education institutions review their offerings and take action. Informed by results from our pilot programme, we want to explore how you can better support your students and learn from case studies across the sector.

Delivered by: Ryan Carty, Westminster Learning Lead, Westminster City Council and Katy Teasdale, Assistant Director of Sport - Participation, University of Nottingham 

3. Open Q&A panel with Technogym and the Wellness Consultancy Group

Technogym will host a live breakoutroom Q&A featuring a panel of experts from Technogym and the Wellness Consultancy Group. The session will offer members the chance to pose questions to the panel on key operational themes such as membership growth, secondary revenue, staff utilisation, managing seasonality, audience targeting, and staff engagement.

1. Securing impact - Winning funding for Community Health  

This network session will be facilitated by Surrey who will provide an overview of how Surrey Sports Park has secured a £250k government grant to deliver exercise referral programmes, marking a major step in its community health mission. Members will be invited to discuss how they are engaging with their local community and share examples of how locally sourced funding is enabling this delivery. This session will also allow for any member not currently engaging with the community to take learnings and best practice.

Delivered by: Carly Pearson, Active Wellbeing Manager, University of Surrey 

2.  Competing Demands, Collective Solutions: Strengthening the Value of Higher Education Sport 

This facilitated session will enable members to discuss the challenges and opportunities they face linked to competing demands on generating income and creating opportunities that are going to have a positive impact on the student experience. Group discussions will be had to explore on collaborative approaches the sector can take to further develop the value of higher education sport.  

Delivered by: Phil Steele, Director of Sport, University of East Anglia 

3. Challenges faced as a small institution and how we can learn from each other 

This network is targeting members from institutions who have a limited sporting infrastructure to support the needs of their student population. This could link to limited access to sporting facilities, lack of resources linked to sport staff and minimal budget. This network will aim to discuss key challenges and any learnings that can be shared amongst the membership. 

Delivered by: Amy Porter, Head of Development, BUCS

1. This girl can: We Like the Way You Move on campus

This session will dive into the insight behind the campaign, and how insight and diversity and inclusion can be used to achieve impact; more women and girls getting active in a way that suits them. There will be an opportunity to explore creating your own This Girl Can inspired activities on your campus to engage students for participation in sport and physical activity. The “We Like the Way You Move” campaign shows how strong insight can shape audience needs, helping you champion belonging and inclusion across your university. By using This Girl Can messaging and toolkits, you can inspire inclusive, motivating activations on campus.

Delivered by: Febimara Sey, Campaign Manager, This Girl Can

2. Inclusive fitness journeys: designing offers that respect faith, ability and time 

This session will explore the different organisations and resources available that can support universities to create a more inclusive fitness environment for their students. The second part of the session will look at a case study from the University of Nottingham on the steps they have taken within their sporting facilities to create a more inclusive environment and the impact this has had on their students.

Delivered by: Molly Byrne, Head of Belonging, BUCS and Lydia Sharpe, Inclusive Fitness Instructor, University of Nottingham 

3. Embracing Technology and Innovation: Enhancing Service Delivery and Supporting Our Team in the Era of AI and Automation 

Explore how the University of Manchester is integrating technology into the operations of their sports facilities, including the Armitage Sports Centre. Since 2021, they’ve used tech to optimise staff time and improve student interactions. Key takeaways will include a look at robots used for tasks like pitch marking and maintenance, their current limitations, and future plans involving humanoid robotics. The session will also cover their work with CRM, access control, and other digital tools to enhance their facilities team's effectiveness.

Delivered by: Andrew Miller, Business Services Manager, University of Manchester 

Reviewing data from ukactive' s 'Mental Health in Motion' report, this session will demonstrate the role and perceptions around physical activity and mental health. It will also discuss barriers, where staff can support and unlock new demand.

Delivered by: Dr Matthew Wade, Interim Director or Research, ukactive and Georgia Poole, Senior Head of Marketing, Events & Engagement, ukactive